I’m doing all that is asked of me at my job. I’m rarely late or sick
and often go beyond what is expected of me. My performance reviews
are always “very good”, and my supervisor says I’m doing great. OK.
So why shouldn’t I be upset when a person with less experience is
promoted above me?
I experienced the above too. But in my case I was “laid off” with
about a third of the workforce. It didn’t catch me by surprise, but
it was a shock none the less. I had been praying about my corporate
situation, as well as for my bosses. My Father, in Heaven, had given
me these instructions in his law-book the Bible. I knew I didn’t need
to obey Him out of fear for my eternal life, His son, Jesus Christ,
would have carried my sin in vain if that were true. I simply knew
that without obedience I was weak. If I had to go through
unemployment with three young sons and a wife who depended on me I
wouldn’t make it — without my Father’s direction and support. I
asked “What do you want me to do?”.
His first response was “Continue doing the right things. Don’t worry
about money, and remember, I am a Father to the Fatherless.” I
needed, and eventually did, forgive those at work I had bitter
feelings toward. I found good reasons why the company could no longer
continue doing what it was doing and still make a profit. My attitude
and responses in interviews which came later went easier as time went
on. I also spent more time with my Father on my knees. During one of
those times I had a memory of when I was a young teen, hearing about
missionaries sent to the African continent. They told stories of
eating meals of bugs and monkey heads. These delicacies prepared by
locals would have been offended if they (yes, both) were turned down.
I recall thinking at that time, “I’ll do whatever you ask of me Lord,
except being a missionary to the African continent”. I had to admit I
was wrong. More than that, my Father expected me to be willing to
accept mission work itself. I applied and was accepted for an
interview with the International Mission Board in my denomination. My
job-prospects log book had just gone over 200 and it was 4 months
since I was laid off. I knew by this time I certainly can have any
job nixed by my Heavenly Father so I asked him for that too. I prayed
for closed doors. I prayed “Just open the one job you, Father, want
me to have.” Money too was about to run out. Also, about that same
time I felt a need to add fasting to my daily prayers. After a 2-day
fast I received an offer from the company I have been working at for
the past 32 years. I thanked, and continue to thank, my Father for
His faithfulness.